“But how would he even know Natalie left today?” I ask weakly.

She frowns. “Cons know everything that happens on this island, you know that.”

“Yeah, but why didn’t he say what he wanted? If it had been me, I would have asked for double chocolate brownies with no nuts, the sports page, the funny papers, vanilla sucking candy, French fries, a cheeseburger, a book on the Babe. He didn’t ask for anything, Annie.”

“He wants to make you sweat,” Annie says. “He’s the cat and you’re the mouse. Back home in Omaha we had a barn cat who would get a mouse, play with it for a few hours, then take it off to a dark corner and eat the head off.”

“So nice of you to put it that way,” I growl.

Annie nods, ignoring my sarcasm. “It’s true and you know it. You sure this is only the second note?”

“Of course I’m sure,” I snap at her.

Her blue eyes have gone watchful now. “This is serious, Moose.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“So what are you going to do? I mean if anyone found out you did a favor for Capone, your dad would be fired”-she snaps her fingers-“like that.”

“Any more good news for me?”

“And you know what else? If Capone got Natalie into the Esther P. Marinoff, he could get her kicked out too.” She crosses her arms. “You’re cooked either way, Moose.”

“Thanks, Annie, that makes me feel just great,” I whisper.

Annie shrugs. “Well it’s true.”

“Look, Annie. This is good news.” I try to make my voice sound as if I believe what I’m saying. “Because really he didn’t ask for anything.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t be a fool, Moose. You should have told before. We have to tell now. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”

“You just said yourself if he got her in, he could get her kicked out.” I’m practically shouting. “It’s Nat’s life we’re talking about. This school is her chance.”

“You’re crazy if you help Al Capone!”